Sydney/Destination New South Wales, Australia

Few people visit Australia without first experiencing Sydney, Australia’s biggest and most exciting city. Beyond the city limits stretches New South Wales, the country’s most beautiful, interest-filled state.

When you shut your eyes and think of Australia, certain iconic images swim inevitably to mind…the sail-staggered roof of the Sydney Opera House against the bright blue of Sydney Harbor…the serried rows of vines that corduroy the hills of the Hunter Valley…the misted contours of the Blue Mountains…the café-lively streets of the Rocks…eucalyptus-mellow koalas and fidgety kangaroos. Encompassing almost everything “Aussie,” Sydney is both Australia’s oldest and newest city, its capital of cool, cuisine and culture. The beautiful state that surrounds it, New South Wales, is crammed with must-see sites, an easy-to-access distillate of this remarkably idiosyncratic continent.

Culturally speaking, there are plenty of treats in store. Sydney is a global events capital with examples including Sydney Festival each January and VIVID Sydney each May / June – the world’s largest light, music and ideas festival.